Writing pad and device



Aug. 28, 1934. a B H PPE 1,971,684

WRITING PAD AND DEVICE Filed May 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- m as. W

Aug. 28, 1934. v HOPPE 1,971,684

WRITING PAD AND DEVICE Filed May 10, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i INVENTOR- Patented Aug. 28, 1934 UNITED s: 'ATES sue WRITING PAD AND DEVICE.

Boris B. Hoppe, Kew Gardens. N. Y. Application May 10, 1932, Serial No. 6.10.400

10 Claims.

Thisinvention'relates to a writing pad and a device formanipulating it, the pad having removable sheets of paper which can be preserved or discarded atthe option of the user in such a.

1' 5iway that fresh sheets can be readily exposed'for use. The inventionis especially useful in connection withmemoranda pads or the like, although it is also useful with loose sheets of paper piled on each other.

The invention will be understoodfrom the description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an i1- lustrative embodiment of the-invention; Fig. 2 is a section along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is Uta section along the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modification with the device open; Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. i with parts broken away; Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 7 is a section alongthe line 7-7 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a plan view of another modification; Fig. 9 is a section along the line-99 of Fig.3; Fig. 10 is an end view of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 9 with parts in the open position and Fig. 12 is a plan view of the device with parts in the closed position;

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings reference character 1 indicates a box of rectangular" A fiat plate 8 extends transversely along the 409 interiorof the box and is movable up and down. A hollow member 9 is fixed near the rounded-end 3 of the box in proximity to theend of the plate 8. The hollowmernber 9 has a straight flat side. 10' anda curved" side 11 that is curvedjsimilar to the end 3 of the box 1 and spacedtherefrom to leave a passageway 12 for sheets ofpaper; as will be described below,

Springs 1?) are provided at the bottom of; the box 1 and are bowed to pressupwardly against 505' wardly. One end of each spring 13 isattached tothe-bottom of the box- 1- as for example by the rivets 14; and thesesprings 13 are'spaced far enough apart" to permit the entry'of the sheets-of paper-betweemthem upon the bottom of the box.

the top of the box leaving a rim or flange 5 all the edges ofthe plate 8 to push the sanie up-- Light wire springs 15 bevelled at their left-hand ends as shown in 2 are provided at the bottom of the box-1 for used sheets of paper to rest upon and these springs press the sheets upwardly against the bottornof the plate 8.

The operation-is as follows:

A pad 16 of sheets of paper of the proper size preferably having their edges glued together slightly as indicated at 1 7 is placed in the box upon the plate 8 which by. being pressed upwardly bytlie springs 13 keeps the sheets pressed up- WtldlYSO that the topmost-one rests against the underside of the top-of the box. The topmost sheet isexposed through" the opening 4 so that it can be written upon. By pressing the topmost sheet toward the left with the thumb resting upon its upper surface it can be separated from the others and may assume the shape shown in dotted lines 18in 2. It can then be pushed by downward and forward pressure toward 7 the left through the space 12 so that it will ride alongthe springs 15 and be kept against the lower side of the plate 8. access to the sheet being available through the opening 6'to enable the user to carry it to the proper distance in the box. A similar 39 operation is used for the next sheet so that the forward end of it will enter belowthe first removed sheet and can be moved into position be--' tween it and the springs 15. If it is desired to discarda sheet instead of keeping it in the box this can-be readily done simply by withdrawing the sheet and throwing it away.

Inthe modification shown in Figs. 4 to 7 used sheets are removedby manipulation of the device. in this modification a box 21 is provided which is open at the end 22 and closed at the cpposite-end23;

A sliding plate member 24. is provided with extensions 25 at one endandis adapted to be slid into the box 21 The outer end of the plate 24 is providedwith a box-like handheld member 26 with its side 27 towardthebox 21 open. A plate 28 upon which the pad or pile of papers rests is slidable-to a slight extent on the plate 24, which has curved edges 29 extending around the edges of 109 the plate 28 to form grooves in which the plate 28slides. Slots 30 extend through the edges 29 and notches-31 are provided in the edges'of the plate'28;'

Upright arms 32 arecarried at the inner end of the-plate ZSnear the sides of the box 21. Springs 33 are carried by the arms=32 and haveinturned ends 3-4 to ent'er theslots 30 and notches" 31.

A plate 35' which is moved up-and down but: isprevented from moving-longitudinally i's providi sheets passes under this plate.

' ation that has been described above.

ed in the box 21 and has lateral extensions 36 near its outer end which rest against the inturned edges 37 of the side walls of the box 21 to keep the plate in the box. The outer end 38 of the plate 35 is bevelled or sharpened. A yoke 39 is slidable along the lower side of the plate 35 near its outer end. Lugs 40 are provided along the edges of the yoke 39 and are bent over to slide along the upper side of the plate 35 to keep the yoke 39 supported on the plate 35. Arms 41 extend from the yoke 39 and are connected by a cross arm 42 having friction material 43 such as sand paper, emery cloth, or the like thereon.

Springs 44, such as wire, are provided on opposite sides of the box 21 with one of their ends anchored in the side walls of the box 21. The free ends 45 of the springs 44 are bent upwardly and backwards and extend through holes near the ends of the cross arms 42. The operation of the device shown in Figs. 4 to 7 is as follows:

The pad of paper 46 is placed upon the plate 28, while the cross arm 42 is in its raised position, the edges being preferably glued together as indicated at 47. The box can then be closed, thus enclosing the pad of paper 46. When the user desires to use a sheet he pulls outwardly on the member 26, thus exposing the topmost sheet of paper, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. After he has written on this top-most sheet he pulls the member 26 out wardly farther to the position shown in Fig. 6. The plate 28 cannot move outwardly farther than the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 because the arms 32 carried thereby have struck against the shoulders 36 on the plate 35. In the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the extensions 25 on the plate 24 have contacted with the lugs 40 and further movement of the plate 24 by pulling outwardly on the member 26 causes the plate 39 to move outwardly, whereupon the cross arm 42 moves the ends 45 of the spring 44 upwardly. This causes the friction material 43 to be pressed against the uppermost sheet near its inner end, whereupon movement of the cross arm 42 causes this sheet to be bent up into the position shown by the reference character 48 in Fig. 6.

While the plates 24 and 28 were being moved out of the box 21 the ends 34 of the springs 33 moved out of the slots 30 and notches 31 as soon as the ends of the springs 33 moved a short distance out of the box 21, thus permitting the plates 24 and 28 to move relative to each other.

When the user pushes the plate 28 inwardly by pressing on the member 26 the spring 44 which is under tension moves the cross member 42, thus i sliding the left-hand end of the top sheet of paper 48 to the left causing its edge to ride over the sloping end of the plate 35. As soon as the slots 30 reach the ends 34 of the springs 33 these ends enter the slots and as soon as these slots become aligned with the notches 31 the ends 34 of the springs enter these notches, thus locking the plates 24 and 28 together. As the parts are pushed into the box 21 the topmost sheet slides along the top side of the plate 35 while the remainder of the The sharp edge of the plate 35 breaks the glue at the right-hand end of thepad, thus separating the topmost sheet from the others so that it will not be withdrawn when the others are again withdrawn by the oper- The stop 24 at the end of the plate 24 prevents the pad from slipping off of the plate 24. A rounded rib or projection 35' is preferably provided on the plate 35 a short distance from its right-hand end so that the right hand end of the sheets that have been passed into the compartment above the plate 35 will be raised slightly to permit entry of succeeding sheets below the raised ends of the sheets that have already been removed, thus accumulating sheets above the plate 35 at the bottom of the pile of removed sheets. The plate 35 gradually moves downwardly as sheets are removed from the pad 46 and even if its left-hand end moves downwardly when the pad 46 is drawn out, it will be raised when the pad is again pushed into the box 21.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 12 the box 51 is closed at the end 52 and open at the opposite end with inturned edges 52 at the ends of the side walls. The top is open leaving flanges 53 along two sides and the closed end, the flanges along the sides being provided with downturned edges 53. The side flanges 53 are made narrower near the open end of the box as indicated at 54.

A plate 55 is slidable into the box 51 and is as wide as the distance between the inturned-edges 52. The plate 55 is for supporting the pad or plurality of sheets of paper 56. The edges of the plate 55 are extended at its outer end and turned downwardly to form a handle or portion that can be grasped by the fingers of the user.

A flat spring 58 of bowed shape is riveted at its center near the outer end of the plate 55 and a pair of pins 59 each having an enlarged head extends through holes in the spring 58 and holes through the sheets of paper 56. The upper ends of the pins 59 are bent at right angles as shown at 60 to lie along the upper surface of the pad, the bent portion being bevelled along the upper side.

A U-shaped spring 61 is pivotally attached to the inner end 62 of the plate 55. Extensions 62 are formed along the edges of the plate 55 at its inner end to strike against the inturned edges 52 of the box 51, thus preventing the plate 55 from being entirely withdrawn from the box. The arms of the spring 61 are bent upwardly as indicated at 63 and thence inwardly and backwards at an angle as indicated at 64.

A spring 65 of U-shape is attached at the ends 66 thereof to the lower side of the side flanges 53 as indicated at 67. A bend 63 is provided at an intermediate portion of each arm of the spring 65 and these arms of the spring extend through transverse openings in a cross member 69 so that the cross member can be slid back and forth on the arms. The cross member 69 is preferably provided with a rough or abrasive material 70 such as sand paper or emery cloth. The ends of the cross member 69 extend through openings '71 in the side walls of the box 51 and are bent downwardly as shown at 72 for convenience in grasping by the fingers of the user.

A spring '73 is provided below the plate 55 near opposite edges thereof, these springs being spaced far enough apart to permit sheets of paper from the pad 56 to be placed between them. One end of each of these springs is riveted to the bottom of the box as indicated at 74 and these springs move the plate 55 upwardly as sheets of paper are removed from the pad 56.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 8 to 12 is as follows:

A pad or plurality of sheets of paper 56 having holes through which thepins 59 Will project is placed upon the plate 55 whereupon this plate carrying the pad is pushed into the box 51. The inturned ends 64 of the spring 61 come into contact with the downwardly sloping portion of the arms of the spring 65 (Fig. 11) thus raising this springand the cross member 69 to permit the end of the pad to pass below it. As soon as the inturned ends 64 reach the bends 68 the spring snaps downwardly, thus permitting the cross member 69 to be pressed against the upper sheet of paper of the pad 56 as it rests thereon.

If the uppermost sheet has been written upon and it is desired to retain it in the box and expose the next sheet for writing thereon, the user first grasps the portion 72 of the member 69 and pushes it to the right whereupon the abrasive material 70 on this member causes the topmost sheet 56 to be pushed toward the right. The side flanges 53 prevent this sheet from bending upwardly except at its outer end at the recessed portions 54 as shown at '75 (Fig. 9). The bending of this sheet near its end causes it to slip off of the ends 60 of the pins 59 and straighten out. The plate 55 is then pulled out by grasping the handle 57 in one hand and the bent ends 72 of the cross member 69 in the other hand. The cross member 69 moves toward the left to the end of the slot carrying with it the topmost sheet which has been discarded from the pins 59 while the remainder of the pad is drawn toward the right with the plate 55. As soon as the cross member 69 passes on of the lefthand end of the pad 56 it is sprung downwardly against the bottom of the box as shown in Fig. 11

holding the removed sheet between the springs 73. Because of the fact that the springs 73 press the plate 55 upwardly the removed sheet will lie entirely beneath the plate 55 when it is returned into the box after having been pulled out as far as it will go. The same operation occurs for removal of successive sheets from the top of the pad 55, the plate 55 being gradually raised higher by the springs 73 as sheets are removed and placed in the bottom of the box between the springs '73. The spring 58 also gradually curves as sheets are removed, thus keeping the outwardly bent ends 60 in firm contact with the topmost sheet of the pad 56. The inturned ends 64 of the spring 61 do not interfere with the cross member 69 holding the topmost sheet as the plate 55 is being withdrawn because its backwardly sloping position enables the arms to be sprung apart slightly as they strike the vertical portion of the bend 68, thus permitting this spring 61 to pass toward the right without loosening the cross member 69 from the sheet that it is holding.

While the removal of the sheets of paper in the embodiment of the invention described in Figs. 1 to 3 has been described as being manual, and the removal of the sheets in the other embodiments has been described as being by mechanical means, the removal of the sheets in the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3 may also be by mechanical means and the removal of the sheets in the other embodiments of the invention may be manual.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper and reciprocating means for initially moving thetopmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others.

2. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper longitudinally and reciprocating means for initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others.

3. In a device of the class described, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper and reciprocating means for initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a position below the others.

4. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means comprising a housing for holding a plurality of sheets of paper and reciprocating means for initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others.

5. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper, reciprocating means for initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others, and means for moving the remaining sheets perpendicular to the surfaces thereof as other sheets of the plurality of sheets are removed.

6. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper and reciprocating means comprising a guide member initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others.

7. In a device of the class described, a plurality of compartments, means for holding a plurality of sheets of paper and reciprocating means comprising a slidable member initially moving the topmost sheet in one direction and then moving it in the opposite direction and transferring it into a compartment separate from the others.

8. In a device of the class described, a box, a spring pressed member in said box adapted to support a pad of paper, and means for removing sheets of paper from one side of said member to the other side thereof.

9. In a device of the class described, a box, a spring pressed member in said box adapted to support a pad of paper, and means operated by reciprocatingsaid spring-pressed member for removing sheets of paper from one side of said member to the other side thereof.

10. In a device of the class described, a box, a spring pressed member in said box adapted to support a pad of paper, and means for removing sheets of paper from one side of said member to the other side thereof by reciprocating said spring pressed member, said means comprising a friction member bearing against the uppermost sheet.

BORIS B. HOPPE. 

